Press Release
The CHT-American Jumma People’s Association (CAJPA)
The Indigenous Jumma People’s Network, USA (IJPNUS)
1595 Hardt St. San Bernardino, CA 92408
E mail: chakmacht@yahoo.com or cajpa.us@gmail.com
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We strongly condemn continuous arson the villages of indigenous Jumma peoples and minority ethnic houses in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs), Bangladesh (BD). Local sources said on March 5, 2010, the illegal Bengali Muslim settlers backed by Bangladesh (BD) army personnel burnt down at least six more houses and a UNICEF-run community school in Sajek Union of Rangamati hill district in CHTs.
Similar arson attack carried out there on February 19-20 and subsequent violence that has spread to Khagrachari town and other areas. Over 400 homes of indigenous people as well as several shops, a church, 2 Buddhist temples and a UNDP-run village center have been burned down in Gangaram Mukh, Guchchagram, Hazachhara, Jaralchhari, Dane Gulakmachhara, Bame Gulakmachhara, Simanachhara, Chhurung Nala and Gulakmacchara villages. At least two indigenous Jumma people have been shot dead by army personnel, and dozens have been injured in the incident.
We demand that the government of Bangladesh to immediate and unrestricted access to massacre sites. The government of Bangladesh has so far denied access to the sites. We also demand the intervention of UN and USA for permanent peace in the CHT. Though the “CHT Peace Accord’ 97 ” signed between the Govt. of Bangladesh and the Parbatya Chattyagram Jana Sanghati Samity (an arms resistance group of the local people in CHT) in December 2, 1997 where the demand of indigenous Jumma people’s haven’t reached and the Accord is not implemented after a decade. Since 1980 there have been carried out about 14 major instances of massacre of the Jummas by the illegal Bengali Muslim settlers and in co-operation with the law enforce agencies of Bangladesh that have to be brought into justice.
Massacres
In March 25, 1980 Kaukhali-Kalampati Massacre where Bangladesh Army and the Bengali Muslim settlers gunned down 300 Jummas. Banraibari-Beltali-Belchari Massacre, June 26, 1981: - settlers under the protection of the BD Army, murdered hundreds of Jummas. Telafang-Ashalong-Tabalchari Massacre, September 19, 1981: - The BD Army and the Bengali settlers invaded the Jumma villages of Feni valley and murdered hundreds of Jummas. Golakpatimachara -Machyachara -Tarabanchari Massacre, June-August 1983: - The BD Army and the settlers executed month’s long campaign against the Jumma villages and murdered 800 Jummas. Bhusanchara Massacre, May 31, 1984 - the massacre was carried out jointly by the 26 Bengal Regiment of the Bangladesh Army and the Bangladeshi settlers. At least 400 Jummas were killed. Many women were gang raped and later shot dead. Panchari Massacre, May 1, 1986 : - hundreds of Jummas (actual number not known) were killed and injured by the Bangladesh Army. 80,000 Jummas fled across the border to India. Matiranga Massacre, May 1986 - The Bangladesh Army gunned down at least 70 Jumma civilians in reprisal to fighting with the Shanti Bahini. Comillatilla, Taindong Massacre, May 18-19, 1986:- the Bangladesh Rifles (a paramilitary force) intercepted 200 Jummas while fleeing across the border to India and opened fired on them. Hirarchar, Sarbotali, Khagrachari, Pablakhali Massacres, August 8-10, 1988:- The Bangladesh Army along with the Bangladeshi settlers killed hundreds of Jumma civilians and gang raped Jumma women. Langadu Massacre, May 4, 1989:- the Bangladeshi settlers murdered 40 Jummas, dead bodies never recovered. Malya Massacre, February 2, 1992:- the Bangladeshi settlers murdered another 30 Jummas. Logang Massacre, April 10, 1992:- the Logang Cluster village burnt into ashes and 1200 Jummas killed by the Bangladeshi military and the Muslim settlers. Naniachar Massacre, November 17, 1993:- about 100 Jummas killed by the Bangladeshi Muslim settlers. Mahalchari Massacre, August 26, 2003:- about 14 villages burnt into ashes at least 2 killed and hundred Jumma injured.
Jumma People’s Network United Kingdom > www.jpnuk.org.uk
Asian Center for Human Rights > www.achrweb.org
Jumma Net, Japan > http://thirdculture.com/jpa/default.html
Jumma Net, Japan > http://thirdculture.com/jpa/default.html
